Author donates portion of book profits to 'Ear'

The author of a fictional novel chronicling a victim of sexual abuse will donate a portion of the book's profits to a local crisis center. Lansing resident and 1996 MSU graduate Jim Hines plans to give part of the profits from his novel "Goldfish Dreams" to The Listening Ear Crisis and Intervention Center, an East Lansing-based organization that offers counseling for depression, suicide, loneliness, sexual assault, grief and other related issues.

Drinking a cup of joe more important than 'U' might think

Do you remember the Van Halen music video for the song, "Right Now?" It had facts and figures about real-world situations.

Top 10 classic Nintendo game themes

Now that you have been to class for a week, it's time to start skipping. While skipping, many people enjoy sleeping, walking dogs on campus and - playing video games.

Shabaj dazzles opponents with speed on short routes

When Agim Shabaj caught his second pass on Saturday, he had visions of Ronald Stanley.Not on the field, but in his head.As he latched onto the short pass, he looked up and saw no one in front of him.

MIDDAY UPDATE: E.L. saxophonist makes good with local audience

Diego Rivera has come a long way since getting booed offstage at the Evergreen Grill. The saxophonist now gets decked out in a black suit as he leads the Diego Rivera Quartet, which performs Tuesday nights at Harper's Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave.

Action star Bronson remembered

He didn't have the look of a matinee idol. Charles Bronson's face was that of an everyman - emanating machismo and toughness.

ANGEL poses problems off campus

MSU's new course management system has been online since August, but some off-campus users are having troubles connecting.ANGEL, also known as A New Global Environment for Learning, was tested this summer and first used last week.

TV shows beter 'back in the day'

When I was younger, I remember my parents always saying "back in the day" things were so much better.My mom would get together with her friends and talk about what they wore, who they hung out with and the music they listened to."You wait 'til you get older," my mom would say.

Meter madness

MSU parking officials are making sure your pockets jingle a bit louder this semester. About 40 percent of the university's 1,100 metered spaces increased hourly rates from $1.25 to $1.50 on July 1. In the middle of a budget crunch, every nickel and dime can help, but the wrong drivers are being penalized in this price hike.

Research center to open in February after delay

MSU's newest research facility, the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, will be up and running later than originally projected, but officials say it's worth the wait.The center, located on the southwest corner of Beaumont and Forest roads, was slated for a June opening, but the completion date was pushed back to December and again to February 2004.

'Le Divorce' wastes talented cast

"Le Divorce" should be French for boring. The new but slow movie starring Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts has the makings of a good drama, but its convoluted and slow-to-develop script make you care nothing for the characters as they struggle with the differences between French and American culture. Watts plays Roxy de Persand, an American woman whose French husband leaves her just as her sister Isabel Walker (Hudson) arrives to visit.

LBGT groups to hold fair

Drag performances, open-mic poetry and music will mark the annual Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Ally Resource Fair at MSU.A dozen campus groups are sponsoring the state wide fair and solidarity slam Today."It's a chance to welcome new students and returning students, and in general to let out the idea that MSU is a safe campus for LGBT and straight-ally students," said Nat Furrow, the director of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Ally Alliance.The fair begins at 5:30 p.m.

Police briefs 09/03/03

Schram, Colson, Rood shine as Spartans win tournament

The No. 25 MSU volleyball team started its season by winning the Maryland Invitation over the weekend, highlighted by nine players achieving career milestones.Junior outside hitter Kim Schram had a career-high 32 kills in the team's five-game victory over Tennessee on Saturday.

Albom to make appearance at center

Mitch Albom, sportswriter for the Detroit Free Press, will introduce his new book "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" at 7:30 p.m.

Briggs director looks to improve

Elizabeth Simmons is always thinking of ways to make improvements. And as the new director for the Lyman Briggs School, MSU's college dedicated to natural sciences, Simmons is already contributing some of her ideas on how to better serve the school's diverse group of students."There is such a wide range of fields within the school, and because of that, I want to ensure the Lyman Briggs curriculum is appropriate and balanced between the different areas of study," Simmons said.Simmons will take over for Steve Spees, who was the acting director until this month.

Too much trash

Importing of trash from Canada into Michigan needs to stop. While legislators have become creative as to where they get their funding, especially when the state is facing difficult budget constraints, the people of Michigan need to tell them they have gone too far. The statewide campaign to stop the importation of Canada's trash into Michigan gained support last week as legislators in Lansing discussed the trash treaty and encouraged residents to sign petitions against foreign trash imports.

Izzo lands recruit for 2005 season

MSU's newest Spartan was in Spartan Stadium on Saturday - but it wasn't to play football.The MSU men's basketball program received their first verbal commitment for the 2005 recruiting class on Saturday in Bay City Central junior Eric Devendorf.

Defensive line proving worth

They might have begun as a question mark, but by the time the game was over, they were the heroes.The MSU defensive line shut down Western Michigan's offensive star and abused its quarterback.

Former education professor dies of colon cancer at age 68

Marvin Eugene Grandstaff, former professor of education and advocate for faculty rights, died Thursday of colon cancer at age 68."Marvin was an extraordinary citizen of the university," English professor Philip McGuire said.